When two lovers collide in Jason Robert Brown's "Last Five Years," they bounce off in equal and opposite directions.
The musical playing at Blue Room Theatre, which continues through Sunday, seems like a simple love story at first glance, but a scratch over the surface reveals a juxtaposition of simultaneous growth and decay.
"Last Five Years" follows the lives of writer Jamie Wellerstein, played by Matt Hammons, and actress Kathy Hiatt, played by Allison Rich. Jamie's musical monologue flows forward through time to show his rising success. Kathy's story, on the other hand, drifts backward from the couple's break-up at the beginning of the play to demonstrate her struggles. The two voices only cross at the moment they get married before the intermission.
Jamie's success seems to feed on Kathy's failure. If Jamie gets a call from his literary agent, Kathy's turns a blind eye. If Jamie lands a book deal, Kathy faces another failed audition.
If he's aging like fine wine, she's stagnating.
Kathy doesn't want to live in someone else's shadow, and Jamie doesn't want his success viewed as a burden.
Director Ben Allen delivers the concept of the off-Broadway musical seamlessly. Powerful vocal performances are topped off by the diverse mix of pop, classical and Latin accompaniment from pianist Lucas Sherman.
Cara Clifford attended the opening night performance of "Last Five Years" and thought the artistically abnormal structure allowed the themes of the story to stand in the foreground.
"So many times when you're watching a love story, you get caught up in the moment," she said. "Knowing it was doomed from the beginning, you can pay more attention to what it's trying to say."
Audience member Nancy Evens liked the music, but said the style of storytelling didn't strike her as interesting.
"I thought it was an interesting device, but the production didn't connect with me emotionally," she said. "I don't know if the way the story was told had anything to do that."
The two-person, two-act design helped develop the play's parallel themes. By keeping a simplistic set design, Allen gives breathing room for illustrating the characters' symbiotic dynamic.
"The small cast helped focus on the meaning of the story," Clifford said.
Peter Strauss, a Blue Room regular, enjoys when the theater tries to stretch its wings.
"I always appreciate the Blue Room trying unusual theater," he said. "I've seen some of the best theater in my life here."
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